Construction clip

Abstract

A clip for securing metal plates in walls constructed using masonry blocks. The clip includes a plate portion and a block portion. The block portion has members that form an opening that fits over a member of a masonry block. The plate portion also has members that form an opening that receives and secures a metal plate. When the block portion is placed on the member of a masonry block, the clip holds a metal plate in a fixed position relative to the masonry block. The clip can include notches on an edge of one of the members to more securely hold the clip on the masonry block.

1. In a construction environment, a method of securing metal plates in a wall constructed with blocks, the method comprising:
 providing a block for constructing the wall; 
 fitting a clip over a portion of the block, the clip comprising:
 at least one base; 
 a first member extending out from the at least one base in a first direction; 
 a second member extending out from the at least one base in a second direction such that the first member and the second member form a substantially planar surface; 
 a third member extending out from the at least one base and forming a first opening with the first member, wherein the first opening is adapted to receive and hold a metal plate; 
 a fourth member extending out from the at least one base and forming a second opening with the second member, wherein the second opening fits over a portion of the block; and 
 
 placing a metal plate into the first opening of the clip, such that the metal plate is held in a fixed location relative to the block. 
 
   
   
     2. A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fourth member of the clip further comprises an edge that is substantially flat. 
   
   
     3. A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fourth member of the clip further comprises an edge that has one or more notches or curves. 
   
   
     4. A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base, the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member of the clip each comprise metal. 
   
   
     5. A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base, the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member each comprise plastic. 
   
   
     6. A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first member of the clip has a length that is equal to a length of second member. 
   
   
     7. A method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the first opening of the clip has a width that is less than a width of the second opening of the clip. 
   
   
     8. A method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the first member of the clip and the second member of the clip form a substantially flat surface. 
   
   
     9. A method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the fourth member of the clip is flexible. 
   
   
     10. A system for building a brick wall, the system comprising:
 a block made from the group of concrete, ceramic, natural stone, or mixtures thereof; 
 a clip comprising:
 a plate portion formed on a first portion of the clip, the plate portion having a base, a first end of the base including a first member and a second end of the base including a second member, wherein the first member and the second member form an opening that receives a metal plate such that metal plate is held within the plate portion by the first member and the second member; and 
 a block portion formed on a second portion of the clip, the block portion comprising a first member and a second member separated by the base, wherein the first member and the second member form an opening that receives a member of a block such that plate portion holds the metal plate is a secure location relative to the block; 
 wherein the first member of the plate portion and the first member of the block portion further comprise a substantially flat surface; and 
 
 a metal plate which is capable of being received by the plate portion of the clip such that the plate portion holds the metal plate in a secure position relative to the block. 
 
   
   
     11. The system as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the plate portion of the clip has a length that is the same as a length of the block portion of the clip. 
   
   
     12. The system as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the plate portion of the clip has a length that is different from a length of the block portion of the clip. 
   
   
     13. The system as defined in  claim 10 , wherein a width between the first and second members of the plate portion of the clip is less than a width between the first and second members of the block portion of the clip. 
   
   
     14. The system as defined in  claim 10 , the first member of the block portion of the clip further comprising an edge, the edge having one or more notches that hold the block portion more securely on the member of the block. 
   
   
     15. The system as defined in  claim 10 , the block portion and the plate portion of the clip further comprising metal. 
   
   
     16. The system as defined in  claim 10 , the block portion and the plate portion of the clip further comprising plastic. 
   
   
     17. The system as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the first member of the block portion of the clip is flexible such that the block portion can hold one or more blocks each block having a different member width.